GRAMBLING, LA - The wife legendary Grambling football coach Eddie G. Robinson, Doris Robinson, passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 96. Doris was well respected in not only the Grambling community but college football in general. She stood by Eddie Robinson during his run as one of the most successful coaches in college football history.
According to source, news of Robinson's death spread quickly on social media Wednesday.
"My grandmother epitomized class and grace. And even in her final days, she lived just that way," Cherie Kirkland said Wednesday. "We are comforted in knowing that she is, once again, with her lifelong love."
Doris Robinson was honored in 2014 as a contributor to the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame. She is now reunited with her husband, Eddie Robinson, who died in 2007 at the age of 88, her son, Eddie Robinson Jr., who died in 2013, and her daughter Lillian Rose Broaden, who died in 2014.
"She was like a mother to all of us here at Grambling State University," Broderick Fobbs, Grambling Head Football Coach told The News-Star on Wednesday. "It's a tough situation but selfishly we want her to be here with us but all of us have our time when we must go. We're just mourning the lost, but also happy and hopefully we get to see her one day."
Doris said Eddie referred to Doris as "Baby" and that the rest of the family, including her grandchildren, friends and other relatives, soon followed suit.
Fobb, like many other former Tigers, played under Robinson from 1992-96. Fobbs said he has learned to appreciate what a coach's wife does more than ever before during his past two years as Grambling's coach.
"Having been in this situation and being a head football coach at Grambling like coach Robinson was, I really truly understand the importance of having a strong wife beside you," Fobbs said. "I can only imagine how strong Mrs. Robinson was when it came to all the years she had to stay beside coach Robinson's side to really help him and nurture through all the situations that occur in college football."
The passing of Doris Robinson serves a reminder to all Grambling players and alumni to keep striving toward what Eddie Robinson would have wanted.
"It's up to us to make sure we carry the torch and keep this thing going in the way that he wanted it to go," Fobbs said.
"Having been in this situation and being a head football coach at Grambling like coach Robinson was, I really truly understand the importance of having a strong wife beside you," Fobbs said. "I can only imagine how strong Mrs. Robinson was when it came to all the years she had to stay beside coach Robinson's side to really help him and nurture through all the situations that occur in college football."
The passing of Doris Robinson serves a reminder to all Grambling players and alumni to keep striving toward what Eddie Robinson would have wanted.
"It's up to us to make sure we carry the torch and keep this thing going in the way that he wanted it to go," Fobbs said.
The D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund sends our deepest thoughts and condolences to the Robinson family, Grambling State University Football team and coaches, student body, alumni and friends of Doris Robinson. Continue to live the legacy of Eddie and Doris Robinson because the legacy of them will always have a spot in the Grambling State University Tiger pride.